Salvobrass

Salvo Brass formed in November 2002 bringing together a group of like minded players to take part in the annual Whit Friday Marches. An event that provides an opportunity for all bands from grassroots through to championship section to compete alongside one another.

It was initially intended to be a one-off experience! A name was needed and so Salvo Brass was an easy decision as we wanted an identity that would associate us with our Salvation Army roots.

Such was the success of this first experience that the original members at the time suggested that Salvo Brass should keep going. So Salvo were born. Whilst it was never the intention of the Band to compete by taking part in the Whit Marches we are adjudicated on our performance at each venue. We have been awarded a couple of 1st placing’s since our inception within the various categories in which we fall. In 2012 Salvo were awarded ‘Best’ non contesting band at Delph (the home of the Whits).

After the success of that first Whit Friday and the decission to continue, we have provided concerts in support of various Salvation Army Corps projects, as well as national and local charities raising to date somewhere in the region of £10,000! Here are some of the organisations we have supported – National Heart Foundation, Barnardos, East Midlands Air Ambulance Service & the Clareance Adoo Trust.

From its inception the band has been led by John Broadhurst, who has brought his wealth of musical leadership and experience to the band. John is also the current Band Master at the Leicester South Corps. In addition, the other committee members of the Salvo Team are Grahame Legg (Band Manager) and Cliff Goodger (Treasurer) who between them have managed Salvo from the beginning.

The current players are drawn primarily from the Midlands, from Nottingham and Derby in the north. Birmingham to the west, Peterborough & Cranwell in the east and Leighton Buzzard and Bedford in the South with numerous other locations inbetween. So as you see a number of miles are covered by this band. We base ourselves at the Salvation Army Leicester South Corps and we are ever grateful for the support given to us by the Corps Officers there.

The membership of the band is by invitation and is still based on Salvation Army association either active or former. Currently about 70% of the band are still active today in their local Salvation Army Corps Band. The Band is totally self-funding and this alone speaks of the commitment held by its members.